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Meyerson BE, Agley J, Crosby RA, Bentele KG, Vadiei N, Linde-Krieger LB, Russell DR, Fine K, Eldridge LA. ASAP: A pharmacy-level intervention to increase nonprescription syringe sales to reduce bloodborne illnesses. Res Social Adm Pharm 2024; 20:778-785. [PMID: 38734511 PMCID: PMC11180557 DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2024.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacy syringe sales are effective structural interventions to reduce bloodborne illnesses in populations, and are legal in all but two states. Yet evidence indicates reduced syringe sales in recent years. This study was designed as a feasibility test of an intervention to promote syringe sales by pharmacies in Arizona. METHODS A four-month pilot among three Arizona pharmacies measured feasibility and acceptability through monthly surveys to 18 enrolled pharmacy staff members. RESULTS Pharmacy staff reported increased ease of dispensing syringes across the study. Rankings of syringe dispensing as 'easiest' among 6 measured pharmacy practices increased from 38.9 % at baseline to 50.1 % post intervention module training, and to 83.3 % at pilot conclusion. The majority (72.2 %) of pharmacy staff agreed that intervention materials were easy to use. Over 70 % indicated that the intervention was influential in their "being more open to selling syringes without a prescription to someone who might use them for illicit drug use," and 61.1 % reported that in the future, they were highly likely to dispense syringes to customers who would use them to inject drugs. A vast majority (92 %) reported being likely to dispense subsidized naloxone if available to their pharmacy at no cost. CONCLUSIONS An education-based intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable to pharmacy staff and had an observed impact on perceptions of ease and likelihood of dispensing syringes without a prescription to people who may use them to inject drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- B E Meyerson
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, University of Arizona, USA; Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ, USA.
| | - J Agley
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, University of Arizona, USA; Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - R A Crosby
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, University of Arizona, USA; College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - K G Bentele
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, University of Arizona, USA; Southwest Institute for Research on Women, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - N Vadiei
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, University of Arizona, USA; Pharmacotherapy Division, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - L B Linde-Krieger
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, University of Arizona, USA; Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - D R Russell
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, University of Arizona, USA; Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - K Fine
- Arizona Pharmacy Association, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - L A Eldridge
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, University of Arizona, USA; Department of Health Education and Promotion, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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Meyerson BE, Bentele KG, Brady BR, Stavros N, Russell DM, Mahoney AN, Garnett I, Jackson S, Garcia RC, Coles HB, Granillo B, Carter GA. Insufficient Impact: Limited Implementation of Federal Regulatory Changes to Methadone and Buprenorphine Access in Arizona During COVID-19. AJPM FOCUS 2024; 3:100177. [PMID: 38312524 PMCID: PMC10835120 DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2023.100177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Introduction This study examined the impact of federal regulatory changes on methadone and buprenorphine treatment during COVID-19 in Arizona. Methods A cohort study of methadone and buprenorphine providers from September 14, 2021 to April 15, 2022 measured the proportion of 6 treatment accommodations implemented at 3 time periods: before COVID-19, during Arizona's COVID-19 shutdown, and at the time of the survey completion. Accommodations included (1) telehealth, (2) telehealth buprenorphine induction, (3) increased multiday dosing, (4) license reciprocity, (5) home medications delivery, and (6) off-site dispensing. A multilevel model assessed the association of treatment setting, rurality, and treatment with accommodation implementation time. Results Over half (62.2%) of the 74-provider sample practiced in healthcare settings not primarily focused on addiction treatment, 19% practiced in methadone clinics, and 19% practiced in treatment clinics not offering methadone. Almost half (43%) were unaware of the regulatory changes allowing treatment accommodation. Telehealth was most frequently reported, increasing from 30% before COVID-19 to 80% at the time of the survey. Multiday dosing was the only accommodation substantially retracted after COVID-19 shutdown: from 41% to 23% at the time of the survey. Providers with higher patient limits were 2.5-3.2 times as likely to implement telehealth services, 4.4 times as likely to implement buprenorphine induction through telehealth, and 15.2-20.9 times as likely to implement license reciprocity as providers with lower patient limits. Providers of methadone implemented 12% more accommodations and maintained a higher average proportion of implemented accommodations during the COVID-19 shutdown period but were more likely to reduce the proportion of implemented accommodations (a 17-percentage point gap by the time of the survey). Conclusions Federal regulatory changes are not sufficient to produce a substantive or sustained impact on provider accommodations, especially in methadone medical treatment settings. Practice change interventions specific to treatment settings should be implemented and studied for their impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth E Meyerson
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction, The University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Keith G Bentele
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Southwest Institute for Research on Women, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Benjamin R Brady
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction, The University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, Arizona
- School of Interdisciplinary Health Programs, College of Health and Human Services, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
| | - Nick Stavros
- Community Medical Services, Phoenix, Arizona
- Drug Policy Research and Advocacy Board, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Danielle M Russell
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Drug Policy Research and Advocacy Board, Tucson, Arizona
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Arlene N Mahoney
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Drug Policy Research and Advocacy Board, Tucson, Arizona
- Southwest Recovery Alliance, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Irene Garnett
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Drug Policy Research and Advocacy Board, Tucson, Arizona
| | | | | | | | - Brenda Granillo
- Southwest Institute for Research on Women, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Gregory A Carter
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
- Department of Community and Health Systems, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
- Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
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Eldridge LA, Meyerson BE, Agley J. Implementation Documentation and Process Assessment of the PharmNet Intervention: Observational Report. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e54077. [PMID: 38498037 PMCID: PMC10985598 DOI: 10.2196/54077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of overdose deaths in the United States involving opioids continues to exceed 100,000 per year. This has precipitated ongoing declarations of a public health emergency. Harm reduction approaches, such as promoting awareness of, ensuring access to, and fostering willingness to use naloxone to reverse opioid overdose, are a key component of a larger national strategy to address the crisis. In addition, overdose reversal with naloxone directly and immediately saves lives. Because of pharmacies' ubiquity and pharmacists' extensive clinical training, community pharmacies are well-positioned, in principle, to facilitate naloxone access and education. OBJECTIVE In 2022, a single-site pilot study of PharmNet, a community pharmacy intervention incorporating naloxone distribution, awareness building, and referral, showed promising outcomes for both naloxone and resource distribution in the community. As a next step, this study was intended to be a pilot randomized controlled trial of PharmNet in 7 pharmacies. However, due to circumstances outside of the study team's control, data collection was unable to be fully completed as planned. In keeping with open research standards, we transparently report all available data from the study and discuss trial barriers and processes. We do so both to provide insights that may inform similar studies and to avoid the "file-drawer" (publication bias) problem, which can skew the aggregated scholarly literature through nonpublication of registered trial results or selective publication of findings affirming authors' hypotheses. METHODS This paper reports an in-depth implementation study assessment, provides the available observational data, and discusses implementation considerations for similar studies in independent (eg, nonchain) community pharmacies. RESULTS Retrospective assessment of study outcomes and fidelity data provided for robust discussion around how resource differences in independent community pharmacies (vs well-resourced chain pharmacies), as well as high demands on staff, can affect intervention implementation, even when leadership is highly supportive. CONCLUSIONS Community pharmacies, particularly independent community pharmacies, may require more support than anticipated to be successful when implementing a new intervention into practice, even if it might affect estimates of real-world effectiveness. Further implementation science research is needed specific to independent community pharmacies. All study elements are outlined in the International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/42373. Although this paper reports results associated with that registration, results and conclusions should not be given the weight assigned to findings from a preregistered study. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/42373.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Ann Eldridge
- Department of Health Education and Promotion, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Beth E Meyerson
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction, University of Arizona Health Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Jon Agley
- Prevention Insights, Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
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Russell DM, Meyerson BE, Mahoney AN, Garnett I, Ferrell C, Newgass K, Agley JD, Crosby RA, Bentele KG, Vadiei N, Frank D, Linde-Krieger LB. Come back when you're infected: pharmacy access to sterile syringes in an Arizona Secret Shopper Study, 2023. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:49. [PMID: 38388463 PMCID: PMC10885601 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-00943-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacies are critical healthcare partners in community efforts to eliminate bloodborne illnesses. Pharmacy sale of sterile syringes is central to this effort. METHODS A mixed methods "secret shopper" syringe purchase study was conducted in the fall of 2022 with 38 community pharmacies in Maricopa and Pima Counties, Arizona. Pharmacies were geomapped to within 2 miles of areas identified as having a potentially high volume of illicit drug commerce. Daytime venue sampling was used whereby separate investigators with lived/living drug use experience attempted to purchase syringes without a prescription. Investigator response when prompted for purchase rationale was "to protect myself from HIV and hepatitis C." A 24-item instrument measured sales outcome, pharmacy staff interaction (hostile/neutral/friendly), and the buyer's subjective experience. RESULTS Only 24.6% (n = 28) of 114 purchase attempts across the 38 pharmacies resulted in syringe sale. Less than one quarter (21.1%) of pharmacies always sold, while 44.7% never sold. Independent and food store pharmacies tended not to sell syringes. There emerged distinct pharmacy staff interactions characterized by body language, customer query, normalization or othering response, response to purchase request and closure. Pharmacy discretion and pharmacy policy not to sell syringes without a prescription limited sterile syringe access. Investigators reported frequent and adverse emotional impact due to pharmacy staff negative and stigmatizing interactions. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacies miss opportunities to advance efforts to eliminate bloodborne infections by stringent no-sale policy and discretion about syringe sale. State regulatory policy facilitating pharmacy syringe sales, limiting pharmacist discretion for syringe sales, and targeting pharmacy-staff level education may help advance the achievement of public health goals to eliminate bloodborne infections in Arizona.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Russell
- Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Drug Policy Research and Advocacy Board (DPRAB), University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Beth E Meyerson
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA.
- Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
- Center for Comprehensive Pain and Addiction, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ, USA.
| | - Arlene N Mahoney
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Southwest Recovery Alliance, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Drug Policy Research and Advocacy Board (DPRAB), University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Irene Garnett
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Drug Policy Research and Advocacy Board (DPRAB), University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Center for Comprehensive Pain and Addiction, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Chris Ferrell
- Drug Policy Research and Advocacy Board (DPRAB), University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- CAN Community Health, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Kylee Newgass
- Southwest Recovery Alliance, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Drug Policy Research and Advocacy Board (DPRAB), University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jon D Agley
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Richard A Crosby
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Keith G Bentele
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Southwest Institute for Research On Women, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Nina Vadiei
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - David Frank
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Linnea B Linde-Krieger
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Abualhasan M, Tahan S, Nassar R, Damere M, Salameh H, Zyoud H. Pharmacists' knowledge of drug food administration and their appropriate patient counseling a cross-sectional study from Palestine. JOURNAL OF HEALTH, POPULATION, AND NUTRITION 2023; 42:99. [PMID: 37710335 PMCID: PMC10500721 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-023-00444-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacists have a responsibility in the treatment of patients. Interactions between food and drugs may lead to a loss of therapeutic effectiveness or drug toxicity. Our study's objectives were to assess pharmacists' knowledge of patient counseling with regard to informing the patient about taking the drug in relation to food, as well as community pharmacists' knowledge of any pharmaceutical instructions that must be given to patients when delivering the drug. The pharmacists were assessed using an interview questionnaire. The results showed a variation in the pharmacist's knowledge about the administration of the drug with food. The chief pharmacists had better knowledge of the proper food administration counseling than that of assistant pharmacists; the percentage of those who did not give the proper food counseling was 24 vs. 58%, respectively (P < 0.05). Only (21%) of pharmacists with more work experience provided proper counseling, while only 18.2 and 18.7% of pharmacists with moderate and low work experience provided proper counseling, respectively. The study showed the pharmacists' limited knowledge of drug administration with food and outdated counseling information. It is highly recommended that a continuous education system be encouraged and enforced by the ministry of health to update pharmacist's knowledge of dispensed drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murad Abualhasan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, State of Palestine, Palestine.
| | - Shahd Tahan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, State of Palestine, Palestine
| | - Roa'a Nassar
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, State of Palestine, Palestine
| | - Maysoon Damere
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, State of Palestine, Palestine
| | - Hadeel Salameh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, State of Palestine, Palestine
| | - Hiba Zyoud
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, State of Palestine, Palestine
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Gionfriddo MR, Owens KM, Leist SE, Schrum LT, Covvey JR. Attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, and practices for over-the-counter syringe sales in community pharmacies: A systematic review. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2023; 63:1472-1489.e3. [PMID: 37429389 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community pharmacies are an important resource for people who inject drugs (PWID) to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) syringes. Access to sterile injection equipment can reduce the transmission of blood-borne illnesses. However, pharmacists and their staff ultimately use discretion over sales. OBJECTIVE To identify staff attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, and practices in the sale of OTC syringes in community pharmacies. METHODS This systematic review was reported according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022363040). We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus from inception to September 2022. The review included peer-reviewed empirical studies regarding OTC syringe sales among community pharmacy staff (pharmacists, interns, and technicians). We screened records and extracted data using a predefined data extraction form. Findings were narratively synthesized, and critical appraisal was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS A total of 1895 potentially relevant articles were identified, and 35 were included. Most studies (23; 63.9%) were cross-sectional descriptive designs. All studies included pharmacists, with seven (19.4%) also including technicians, two (5.6%) including interns, and four (11.1%) including other staff. Studies found relatively high support among respondents for harm reduction-related services within community pharmacies, but less common reports of staff engaging in said services themselves. When studies investigated the perceived positive or negative impacts of OTC syringe sales, prevention of blood-borne illness was widely understood as a benefit, while improper syringe disposal and safety of the pharmacy and its staff commonly reported as concerns. Stigmatizing attitudes/beliefs toward PWID were prevalent across studies. CONCLUSION Community pharmacy staff report knowledge regarding the benefits of OTC syringes, but personal attitudes/beliefs heavily influence decisions to engage in sales. Despite support for various syringe-related harm reduction activities, offerings of services were less likely due to concerns around PWID.
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Eldridge LA, Meyerson BE, Agley J. Pilot implementation of the PharmNet naloxone program in an independent pharmacy. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2023; 63:374-382.e12. [PMID: 36209035 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The U.S. overdose epidemic has continued to escalate with more than 100,000 deaths per year in the past several years, most of which involve opioids. Widespread availability of naloxone is part of a national solution to the crisis, and community pharmacies are well-poised to facilitate such distribution and provide additional harm reduction services. OBJECTIVES The primary objectives of this study were to (a) examine the usability of each of the separate intervention components prepared for PharmNet, (b) observe intervention fidelity through regularly scheduled site visits, and (c) explore the association between PharmNet implementation and the volume of naloxone sales and distribution in the pilot site. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION Here, we describe a carefully designed and tailored pharmacy harm reduction intervention called PharmNet that is designed to maximize harm reduction impact while minimizing utilization of pharmacist resources. It is a pragmatic awareness, service provision, and referral program that was developed through careful, iterative feasibility studies with pharmacists. PRACTICE INNOVATION PharmNet procedures include tools and steps to create awareness (e.g., yard signs and messaging for patients, reminder tools for pharmacists), facilitation of naloxone delivery from nonprofits, and provision of referral cards featuring local resources. EVALUATION METHODS Evaluation included direct data collection and randomly scheduled fidelity site visits. RESULTS The intervention was associated with an increase of 3.33 naloxone doses/mo being dispensed at cost (34.4% relative increase) and an overall increase of 9.33 naloxone doses/mo being dispensed via any mechanism (96.48% relative increase). Around 2.85 referral cards were issued to patients daily. Intervention fidelity was moderate, and the study provides valuable information for how to modify the study prior to a randomized trial. CONCLUSION With modifications informed by this pilot study, the PharmNet intervention merits a randomized trial to determine whether it causes increased naloxone dispensing in independent community pharmacies.
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Eldridge LA, Agley J, Meyerson BE, Golzarri-Arroyo L. The PharmNet Harm Reduction Intervention for Community Pharmacies: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e42373. [PMID: 36279161 PMCID: PMC9641511 DOI: 10.2196/42373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The overdose epidemic in the United States has continued to worsen despite substantial efforts to mitigate its harms. The opioid antagonist naloxone has been identified as a key means of reducing the prevalence of fatal overdoses. An important evidence-based approach to optimizing naloxone’s impact is to seed it throughout the community, because bystanders are often able to reverse overdoses more quickly than first responders and sometimes are the only possible means of overdose reversal. As part of a multipronged approach to distributing naloxone nationwide, community pharmacies have been identified as ideal venues for naloxone dispensing, especially under standing orders. However, dispensing rates remain surprisingly low, and there is a need to understand how best to engage community pharmacies in naloxone-based harm reduction services. Objective The objective of this trial is to determine whether a tailored, pragmatic pharmacy intervention (PharmNet) results in greater naloxone dispensing relative to baseline (the prior 3 months) compared to a control condition. This pilot trial is intended to determine whether it is appropriate to invest the substantial resources that would be required to conduct a full-scale, randomized controlled study of PharmNet. Methods We will conduct a 3-month randomized controlled pilot trial consisting of 2 parallel groups with a 4:3 allocation ratio. A group of 7 independent pharmacies from rural areas in Indiana will be randomly assigned to either the PharmNet intervention arm (n=4) or the control arm (n=3). The primary outcome will be overall naloxone dispensing (both at cost and free), and secondary outcomes will include the distribution of referral cards and multiple variables at the level of individual staff members. Dispensing data will be collected for the 3 months prior to the intervention and the 3 months of the intervention, and all other data will be collected using a pretest-posttest design. The primary analysis will be a generalized linear mixed model with a Poisson distribution with fixed effects for group, time, and their interaction and a random effect for pharmacy ID to account for repeated measures within pharmacies. Results This study was approved by the Indiana University institutional review board in 2 phases (August 2, 2021, and April 26, 2022) and was funded by the Indiana University Grand Challenge: Responding to the Addictions Crisis. Conclusions If this study produces evidence that the PharmNet intervention results in increased naloxone dispensing relative to control pharmacies, it will be both appropriate and important to study it in a large, full-scale randomized controlled trial. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/42373
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jon Agley
- Prevention Insights, Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Beth E Meyerson
- Harm Reduction Research Lab, Southwest Institute for Research on Women, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Lilian Golzarri-Arroyo
- Biostatistics Consulting Center, School of Public Health Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
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